This is a place for any extant garments in private collections from about 1941 back. There is no beginning date. The only rule is that it can't be currently in a museum and must be before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I mostly post items I've seen on ebay, etsy, or other auction sites so we will continue to have a record of them for research purposes. If you have antique clothing in your collection, please, email me pictures of them and I will gladly add them to this site.

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Sunday, November 17, 2013

Mid 1860's Plaid Dress

This is a two piece plaid 1860's dress, the plaid in a shimmering bronze and black alternating with a narrow blue, black, green and red narrow stripe. There are box pleats in front and at the sides, with cartridge pleating in back. The overskirt follows this design, and has a scalloped edge of black silk. The dress fastens in front with jet buttons, along with hidden hooks and eyes and is boned. The dress and overskirt are lined with brown cotton. The dress is piped at the shoulders and at the waist.

The ensemble seems to have been a transitional style. There was most likely a third piece, perhaps a belt with a bow or some other ornament meant to be worn in the back, as the cotton belt was not meant to show.

The bust measures 32", waist 26", it's 18" between the shoulder seams in back. Please note that these are outside measurements.

In good overall condition, with one area of damage measuring about 4" x 6" in front a few inches below the waist, a second area nearby about 2" x 1", these are shown in the last pic above. There is some mottling/color loss mostly to the shoulder area and back bodice, in a few other minor places on the skirt. There about 7-8 other holes maybe 1/4" scattered around. There is one place at the hem where the tape is separating from the skirt, this is about 7" long, underarms have some fading, though they are not splitting. The overskirt is in excellent condition, when worn, it covers the area of damage on the skirt.

International bidders are advised that they might be liable for extra delivery, customs, or postal charges once the item has entered their own country. If you have any questions about these charges, please contact your local customs or post office. I appreciate that you do not me to falsify customs forms.

From Me:

This dress is probably from just after the war. What I love about the photos is you can see the pleats to the front, gathers in the back. Wouldn't it look stunning with a green or red belt?